Chronic anemia is a condition where a person has low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin for more than two to six months. It can be primary or secondary and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The underlying cause must be treated for effective treatment.
Anemia is a condition in which a person does not have enough red blood cells, leading to a low level of hemoglobin. If this condition persists, usually for more than two to six months, it is considered chronic anemia. Red blood cells and hemoglobin play a vital role in carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, and a deficiency can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Chronic anemia can be primary, meaning it is part of a patient’s primary medical diagnosis, or secondary, meaning it is caused by another underlying medical problem.
One of the most important components of blood are red blood cells, and a person with chronic anemia does not have enough of these vital cells. This condition is commonly called low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all other parts of the body and carry carbon dioxide back. They use a molecule called hemoglobin as a transport vehicle; when there is a lack of hemoglobin, also called hemoglobin deficiency, the body’s tissues and organs will not get enough oxygen, leading to fatigue-like symptoms.
Symptoms of chronic anemia include lack of energy, pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, dizziness, and irritability. Some other less common symptoms include fainting, chest pain, trouble sleeping, ringing in the ears, inability to concentrate, and impotence. Most of these symptoms are caused by a lack of vital oxygen to the body’s tissues. Many patients with chronic anemia adapt to their condition and show very few symptoms unless there is a sudden change in their hemoglobin levels.
Potential causes of chronic anemia are divided into three main groups: anemia caused by blood loss, reduced or defective red blood cell production, or red blood cell destruction. One of the most common of these is iron deficiency, which reduces the body’s ability to produce red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Chronic anemia always has an underlying cause. When the cause is a disorder that primarily affects the blood, such as sickle cell disease, it is called primary chronic anemia as it is often a normal part of the disease. When it is caused by a non-hematologic condition such as alcoholism, cancer, tuberculosis, or kidney problems, it is considered secondary because it is a symptom of another disease process. There are more than 400 possible causes, and effective treatment usually depends on treating the underlying cause.
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